Oil and Gas Sector

Mr HUGHES (Giles) (15:20): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. Can the minister inform the house about the status of BP's exploration program in the Great Australian Bight?

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: May I have the leverage to treat him the way he deserves? Can I, please, sir?

The SPEAKER: The leader is warned a first time, although I do not regard 'klutz' as unparliamentary.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (15:21): BP and its joint-venture partners, Statoil, probably the two largest oil and gas companies in the world, are exploring in the Great Australian Bight for oil and gas. Before then, in order to comply with stringent regulatory processes applied by NOPSEMA, BP will prepare detailed plans and supporting documentation, including an environment plan.

The company is also planning to invest in infrastructure to support this very important project. The investment will deliver long-lasting benefits to the state and demonstrate the benefits of an expanding resources sector to our towns, our cities and, most importantly, our regional communities. It is good to know that the member for Flinders was in attendance at Ceduna, showing his support for the oil and gas sector. I also noticed there was support from the member for Morialta, most recently, at another group of informed industry experts—

The Hon. T.R. Kenyon: Hartley.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sorry, the member for Hartley, who supports the oil and gas sector. That is probably why the motion for an inquiry was not moved in the lower house because the Leader of the Opposition would not have been able to keep the support of the member for Hartley, who probably would have voted for the government. I have to say, a week out from a by-election, that kind of honesty and integrity of the member for Hartley is really inspiring—that he is prepared to stand up to his leader and stand up to the Liberal Party's anti-oil and gas policies.

Mr Tarzia interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Before then, these investments are expected to deliver lasting benefits for our state and demonstrate the benefits of an expanding resources sector. Both Port Adelaide and Ceduna airports will receive infrastructure upgrades and BP has proposed a marine supply base to support the drilling in the Great Australian Bight, which is intended to operate from the port and is subject to council and other approvals.

Interestingly, BP have not asked that the Coordinator-General overlook these proposals because BP are very keen on making sure that they have integrated conversations with local communities. They are very keen on talking to local communities about the benefits of their development, but of course the government reserves the right, if there are anti-oil and gas activists, like the member for Mount Gambier, who might pop up and try to stop development, to have the ability to defend these industries.

The marine supply base will cater for onshore logistics activities to service offshore exploration drilling activities. The base will resource offshore supply vessels with the necessary materials and equipment for offshore operations. It includes a whole series of functions, like loading and unloading of equipment and materials required for offshore operations returning from offshore, using cranes, and of course all the deck for the cargo.

As some members know, BP also has plans for a new helicopter base in Ceduna. The proposed site, which the Premier and I visited last week, Ceduna, is intended to be the primary location for the aviation support for the offshore base. As much as Adelaide Airport would like to be a destination for BP's helicopter support off the Great Australian Bight, I am not sure the helicopters have the range to reach that place. Again, the anti-oil and gas activists try to stop the pro oil and gas activists from supporting the industry.

The Hon. T.R. KENYON: Point of order: my understanding of standing order 131 is it is out of order to interrupt a member while he is speaking. I might add that I think the tapping of a glass is very disorderly. It's not a wedding.

The SPEAKER: In another context it would require members to turn to one another and kiss.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Indeed. As the deputy leader says, spare us that. The member for Stuart.